Manukau’s Mayor, attending this week’s official launch of a 24/7 direct bus service from the airport to the CBD , pondered: do we need both rail and bus to the airport, especially in view of this development. And his answer is yes.
Johnsons Coach Lines, the providers of the bus service and the owners of Airbus Express, representatives of ARTA and representatives of the Auckland International Airport were present to celebrate the Airbus Express expanding its timetable to run around the clock.
The seven day a week service connects a new large bus fleet direct for visitors from the airport to the CBD.
Len Brown, who is also standing for super mayor of Auckland said that In the years ahead, he believed two primary economic drivers will be the ability to attract tourists to Auckland, and then to ensure we can move them around efficiently.
There are presently 13.5 million arrivals and departures from the international airport, and this is predicted to double over the next 20 years.
“This type of service is crucial as is the need for us to provide a direct rapid transit link between the seaport and the airport. There is some concern that provisioning of a direct rail link was not necessary and that the airport to city link would be provided by bus only.
“My view is that there is a huge growth expected in people going through the airport, so we need to be satisfied that bus and and rail working in unison could easily deal with that.”
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5 Responses to “Len Brown Asks: Do We Still Need Airport Rail?”
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It is good that airbus have decided to do this, though at $15 one way, is pretty steep. The (ill named and poorly marketed) Manukau Airporter costs only $8 one way from Britomart via train to the airport.
The privately operated Melbourne Airbuses went 24/7 when there was talk about an airport rail link. They effectively killed the airport rail link, and kept 100% of airbus business for themselves.
Is this a similar strategy by Airbus in Auckland?
Info from the Maxx journey planner:
-Britomart->Airport at midday on the Airbus direct = $16 (note the recent price increase) duration 53min
-at the same time of day on the southern line, transfer to 380 bus = $8 duration 69min
The second option includes a 15min wait at Papatoetoe station. The return journey also suffers a 15min wait. Wouldn’t it be good if the bus timetable could be altered to allow 5-10min transfers, bringing the journey times closer to each other plus an $8 saving.
I was actually surprised the 2 options were so close in duration, and it makes me think its a shame the train option isn’t more widely publicised at the terminals.
I’m not interested in catching a bus to the airport fullstop. When travelling on my own I’ll catch a taxi/shuttle and train from Onehunga.
When I have a full family with me I won’t be catching public transport of any sort nor do I expect to many other people will either. Sorry, but I think that the airport link should be left well alone until the CBD loop is at least under construction
Good research James. And very good point. There’s certainly potential here as you point out. But it also has to be an economical option. Transport to airports always seems to be ridiculously overcharged worldwide because airports collect their take from their preferred suppliers, like taxi companies.
@Steve W, transport planners know that an airport connection is not possible till the CBD loop is finished but don’t expect the poeple who are only interested in running the city to know that..!